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Kristi Wolf: Volunteers needed for hARTSfest

I am sure that many of us on campus and in the community have more than likely seen the large signs on the Yosemite Avenue side of the Merced College campus between G and M streets over the last couple of months.

If you haven't seen the signs and are wondering what I am talking about, hARTSfest is coming.

Now you are probably thinking to yourself, "I thought Kristi could spell but she spelled that word wrong." No, I didn't; that's the correct spelling, but if I could spell it here with the graphics that are in the logo, it would definitely make more sense.

The festival that is coming to Merced College is the brainchild of John Graulty, dean of fine arts, humanities and social sciences at Merced College.

The festival is called hARTSfest, and it will have the entire campus "humming from early afternoon to early evening with highly engaging exhibitions, performances, presentations and hands-on interactive demonstrations presented by our faculty, students, and invited community organizations," according to the vision statement. "The primary purpose of hARTSfest is to give the community a 'behind the scenes' glimpse of what we do at Merced College in the arts, humanities and social sciences to make the world a better place."

Admission to hARTSfest is free and its open to the public. The campus-wide event will be held from 2 to 8 p.m. May 7. You will want to bring the whole family because there will be plenty of activities for all ages. I hear there will even be a bounce house for the kids. Yippee! (How young do you have to be?)

This event has been a year in the making. It's no easy task to plan something of this magnitude, but many talented students, faculty and staff have stepped up to make this event a huge success.

All those involved in the planning, the Master Planning committee, are excited about what the festival has to offer the public. The staff and faculty on the committee are passionate about the arts, humanities and social sciences and their passion is evident in the advertising and planning.

There will be no shortage of activity at the festival. The schedule shows 30 events guaranteed to pique everyone's interest.

Event-goers will be able to take part in several hands-on activities such as making a pottery bowl, seeing what a conductor does from the inside of an ensemble, trying your hand at Japanese calligraphy, and face painting.

There will be presentations where event-goers can learn about trade beads, German linguistics, people and cultures of Pakistan, what Madonna has in common with Spanish mysticism, effective communication and what "Alice in Wonderland" has to do with going to college.

There will be lots of performances as well. These include a ballet, children's choir, dance, poetry readings, string quartet, singing, jazz band and classical music. Exhibits include a student art show and painting exhibit, Tree of Life tile project and photography exhibit.

An event of this magnitude couldn't come together and be successful without the help of many volunteers. From those volunteering to be on the steering committee and master planning committee to those volunteering to hold presentations, performances and show exhibits.

These volunteers are simply not enough. There is a need for student volunteers to help before and on the day of this big event.

Student volunteers, also called ambassadors, will help promote and organize the event. Student ambassadors are needed to help with promotion. For instance, handing out fliers and information to attendees of the ArtHop this month.

Ambassadors will also help coordinators the day of hARTSfest.

This is the perfect opportunity for students to volunteer and use this event toward their community service credits; give back to their school and community all while building their personal résumé. All student ambassadors receive a free hARTSfest T-shirt. What more could you ask?

So, mark the date on your calendars, tell all your friends and plan to bring the entire family to hARTSfest. You'll be glad you did. See you there.

Kristi Wolf is a full-time secretary and student at Merced College, majoring in administrative office management, with aspirations of being a writer.

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